Important Step Taken to Bring Rail to Dulles

August 27, 2009OPA 155/09

News Highlights

Circuit Court judge rules plan to finance cost to construct Phase
I through issuance of EDA Bonds is completely lawful and
constitutional.

Another important step was taken today toward completing the
long-awaited extension of Metrorail in the Dulles Corridor serving not
only Tysons Corner and Fairfax County, but also serving Dulles
International Airport and Loudoun County and completing the transit link
to the rest of the National Capital Region.

This morning, Circuit Court Judge Stanley P. Klein ruled from the bench
that the proposed plan to finance up to $400 million of the local
share of the cost to construct Phase I of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail
Project (the Project) through the issuance of EDA Bonds to be repaid with
the proceeds of the special tax levied on commercial and industrial real
estate in the Dulles Corridor Phase I Special Improvement Tax District
(the District) is completely lawful and constitutional.

At its June 18, 2007, meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
authorized a local funding agreement with the Metropolitan Washington
Airports Authority (MWAA) and Loudoun County and a cooperative agreement
with MWAA, and also authorized expenditure of funds from the District for
the construction of the Project.

Subject to future approval by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
with respect to Phase II of the Project and subject to annual
appropriation by the board, it committed Fairfax County to funding a
percentage of the total cost of construction.

Today's action, taken in a bond validation suit brought in
Fairfax County Circuit Court by the Fairfax County Economic Development
Authority (EDA), the County, and the District, validated the proposed
plan for financing a portion of the cost of Phase I of the Project
through EDA bonds, which had been approved by the board on June 22,
2009.

“Fairfax County looks forward to continuing the collaborative effort
between local, state and federal governments and the private sector to
realize our long-term aspiration of bringing rail to the Dulles
Corridor,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova.

For more information, contact the Chairman’s Office at 703-324-2321, TTY
711.